Updated 11th of Feb, 2021

Public events

Pursuant to section 58, paragraph 1 of the Communicable Diseases Act, the Regional State Administrative Agency for Northern Finland prohibits all public indoor and outdoor events and meetings in the area of the municipalities of Northern Ostrobothnia.

This order is in force from 10 February to 28 February 2021.

However, public events and meetings may be held indoors and in confined outdoor spaces as long as the number of participants is not more than ten (10) and the safety of the participants can be ensured in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) on 21 September 2020.

Public facilities

Most of the public facilities administered by the City of Kalajoki will remain closed, with the exception of indispensable services.

• Virta-Sali, Kahvila Kirja, Ventelä house, museums and exhibition facilities, and the City Hall will remain closed until 28 February 2021.
• The libraries will be open for quick transactions.
• All persons using the library services are required to wear a face mask.
• High-risk groups are offered an option of using a book bag pick-up service.
  • Opening hours will be restricted as follows until 28 February 2021:
    • Main Library: Mon and Thu 10:00-20:00, Tue, Wed and Fri 10:00-16:00, Sat closed
    • Himanka: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu 12:00-19:00, Fri 11:00-16:00, Sat closed
• No events will be held at the library until 28 February 2021.
• The mobile library will continue its operations on 2 February 2021. Only one customer is allowed inside at a time.
• The spa will open on 2 February 2021 under special arrangements. The number of people allowed inside and their swimming time are limited. Customers are recommended to use a face mask in the spa hallways and dressing rooms. The spa provides more information about these special arrangements.

Group hobby activities

• The group hobby activities of children and people under 18 are allowed to continue. Teams and established groups are allowed to train and practice together.
• Matches, competitions, tournaments and shows are not organised for the time being. Physical education must take place outdoors or on school premises. Local groups are recommended to not travel to other regions in order to participate in events, matches, competitions, etc.
• Group activity organisers must observe the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and ensure that the participants and those accompanying them avoid close contact with each other.
• In order to ensure compliance with the guidelines provided, the activity time slots are subject to change. For further information on reservations, protective measures and special arrangements, please contact Development and Coaching Head Juha Isolehto juha.isolehto@kalajoki.fi
• Group hobby activities of persons 18 and older remain suspended. Group hobby activities can be organised remotely, if possible. Where possible, special training arrangements are made for competitive and top-level athletes. Matches and competitions for licensed athletes organised by sport associations require a separate agreement. To organise matches and competitions for licensed athletes, please contact Development and Coaching Head Juha Isolehto. juha.isolehto@kalajoki.fi
• Open youth centre activities will be closed until 28 February 2021. Group activities will continue with a maximum group size of ten (10) people. All participants must wear a face mask.
• Basic education club activities (as described in the Finnish model) will start in small groups on 1 February 2021 in accordance with the group instructor’s guidelines.
• Matriculation examination will be held in Merenoja Sports Hall from 15th of March until 31st of March. Sports hall cannot be used for any other purposes during this time and all the reservations are canceled. If you need an alternative space for your reservation, please contact juha.juola@kalajoki.fi.

Senior citizens and high-risk groups

Visits to care institutions should be avoided and must always be arranged in advance with the staff. Make sure that you are fully healthy before visiting a care institution. The measures comply with the instructions of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

Teaching arrangements

• Matriculation examination candidates will continue in contact teaching until 19th of February, 2021.
• The first and second grade students of the upper secondary school will continue their studies in contact teaching starting on 22nd of February, 2021. The morning practice groups will start again on the same date.
• The loose arrangement of comprehensive education will be continued until 28 February 2021.
  Adult Education Centre courses must be held remotely.
• Private training of children and young people at the Music School and the Adult Education Centre will continue normally.

Remote work and remote meeting practices

All employees must work remotely insofar as possible. Remote meeting policies will continue to be applied as extensively as possible both at workplaces and for leisure meetings.

Mask recommendations

• At all times in public transport and other public means of transport (such as cabs)
• On your way to coronavirus testing, and if you must leave your home while waiting for the test results
• Those arriving in Finland from a high-risk region when moving from the entry location to voluntary quarantine, or if they have an essential reason to leave home during voluntary quarantine
• Health care personnel in all patient work. The recommendation also applies to patients, family members, students and visitors.
• At all times in public indoor spaces and at public events, including schools and educational institutions from the upper comprehensive school upwards
• At the facilities of private service providers (stores, banks, etc.)
• Comprehensive school students from the 7th grade upwards and students of secondary and higher education institutions (including upper secondary schools)
• At all indoor workplaces where masks can be worn

Private events

We recommend that private events are not held during this time, with the exception of small-scale memorials.

 

Readiness Management Group
City of Kalajoki